U.S. patent application number 14/018949 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for beam mechanical compression device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Physio-Control, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Physio-Control, Inc.. Invention is credited to Anders Torbjorn Jeppsson.
Application Number | 20140221882 14/018949 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51259847 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140221882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jeppsson; Anders Torbjorn |
August 7, 2014 |
BEAM MECHANICAL COMPRESSION DEVICE
Abstract
A mechanical CPR device includes a back plate, a first tower
removably attached to the back plate, a second tower removably
attached to the back plate, and a beam releasably connected to each
of the first tower and the second tower. The first tower can
include a first linear motion device. The second tower can include
a second linear motion device. Each of the first and second linear
motion devices can be configured to move one end of the beam toward
and away from the back plate. The first and second linear motion
devices can be configured to operate in concert such that, when the
back plate is resting on a surface, the beam remains substantially
parallel to the surface during movement of the beam toward and away
from the back plate.
Inventors: |
Jeppsson; Anders Torbjorn;
(Lund, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Physio-Control, Inc. |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Physio-Control, Inc.
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
51259847 |
Appl. No.: |
14/018949 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61761128 |
Feb 5, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
601/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/5002 20130101;
A61H 2201/5046 20130101; A61H 2201/149 20130101; A61H 31/006
20130101; A61H 2201/1215 20130101; A61H 2201/5097 20130101; A61H
2201/0161 20130101; A61H 2201/1664 20130101; A61H 2201/1246
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
601/41 |
International
Class: |
A61H 31/00 20060101
A61H031/00 |
Claims
1. A mechanical CPR device comprising: a back plate; a first tower
removably attached to the back plate, the first tower comprising a
first linear motion device; a second tower removably attached to
the back plate, the second tower comprising a second linear motion
device; and a beam releasably connected to each of the first tower
and the second tower; wherein each of the first and second linear
motion devices is configured to move one end of the beam toward and
away from the back plate; and wherein the first and second linear
motion devices are configured to operate in concert such that, when
the back plate is resting on a surface, the beam remains
substantially parallel to the surface during movement of the beam
toward and away from the back plate.
2. The mechanical CPR device of claim 1, wherein the first linear
motion device comprises a first shuttle and the second linear
motion device comprises a second shuttle.
3. The mechanical CPR device of claim 2, wherein the first shuttle
is configured to releasably connect with a first end of the beam,
and wherein the second shuttle is configured to releasably connect
with a second end of the beam.
4. The mechanical CPR device of claim 3, wherein the first shuttle
comprises one or more engagement points configured to engage the
first end of the beam, and wherein the second shuttle comprises one
or more engagement points configured to engage the second end of
the beam.
5. The mechanical CPR device of claim 4, wherein the first end of
the beam comprises a first rotatable end and wherein the second end
of the beam comprises a second rotatable end.
6. The mechanical CPR device of claim 5, wherein the beam comprises
a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism, wherein
the first locking mechanism is configured to lock the first
rotatable end in a first position and to permit the first rotatable
end to rotate in a second position, and wherein the second locking
mechanism is configured to lock the second rotatable end in a first
position and to permit the second rotatable end to rotate in a
second position.
7. The mechanical CPR device of claim 2, wherein the first linear
motion device further comprises a first motor and a first threaded
shaft connected to the first shuttle, and wherein the second linear
motion device further comprises a second motor and a second
threaded shaft connected to the second shuttle.
8. The mechanical CPR device of claim 7, wherein the first tower
further comprises a first control unit configured to control
movement of the first shuttle by controlling the first motor, and
wherein the second tower further comprises a second control unit
configured to control movement of the second shuttle by controlling
the second motor.
9. The mechanical CPR device of claim 1, wherein the first tower
comprises a first control unit and the second tower comprises a
second control unit.
10. The mechanical CPR device of claim 9, wherein the first control
unit and the second control unit are configured to communicate
wirelessly.
11. The mechanical CPR device of claim 9, wherein the first control
unit and the second control unit are configured to communicate via
a wired connection.
12. The mechanical CPR device of claim 11, wherein the wired
connection comprises a first electrical connection in the first
tower, a second electrical connection in the back plate, and a
third electrical connection in the second tower.
13. The mechanical CPR device of claim 12, wherein the first and
second control units are configured to verify that the back plate
is properly aligned with the first and second towers based on an
ability to communicate via the first, second, and third electrical
connections.
14. The mechanical CPR device of claim 12, wherein the wired
connection further comprises a fourth electrical connection in the
first tower, a fifth electrical connection in the beam, and a sixth
electrical connection in the second tower.
15. The mechanical CPR device of claim 14, wherein the first and
second control units are configured to verify that the beam is
properly aligned with the first and second towers based on an
ability to communicate via the fourth, fifth, and sixth electrical
connections.
16. The mechanical CPR device of claim 9, wherein at least one of
the first and second control units is configured to receive one or
more user inputs.
17. The mechanical CPR device of claim 16, wherein the first
control unit is configured to control the first linear motion
device based on the received one or more user inputs, and wherein
the second control unit is configured to control the second linear
motion device based on the received one or more user inputs.
18. A method comprising: placing a patient on a back plate;
removably attaching a first tower to the back plate; removably
attaching a second tower to the back plate; engaging a first
rotatable end of a beam to a first linear motion device of the
first tower; engaging a second rotatable end of the beam to a
second linear motion device of the second tower; and locking the
first and second rotatable ends of the beam such that the beam is
located over the patient; wherein the first and second linear
motion devices are configured to move the beam to compress a chest
of the patient between the beam and the back plate.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein placing the patient on the back
plate comprises placing the back plate on a surface, the method
further comprising: causing the first and second linear motion
devices move the beam toward and away from the back plate to
compress the chest of the patient, wherein the first and second
linear motion devices are configured to maintain the beam in a
position substantially parallel to the surface during motion of the
beam.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the beam comprises a
compression point configured to engage the chest of the patient
during motion of the beam.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims to the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application 61/761,128, filed Feb. 5, 2013, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety. The present application is also related to U.S.
application ______ (attorney docket no. PHYS-0007), filed herewith
and entitled "FIXATION OF DEVICE TO BACK PLATE," the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a medical procedure
performed on patients to maintain some level of circulatory and
respiratory functions when patients otherwise have limited or no
circulatory and respiratory functions. CPR is generally not a
procedure that restarts circulatory and respiratory functions, but
can be effective to preserve enough circulatory and respiratory
functions for a patient to survive until the patient's own
circulatory and respiratory functions are restored. CPR typically
includes frequent chest compressions that usually are performed by
pushing on or around the patient's sternum while the patient is
laying on the patient's back. For example, chest compressions can
be performed as at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute and
at a depth of about 5 cm per compression for an adult patient. The
frequency and depth of compressions can vary based on the age and
size of a particular patient.
[0003] Manual CPR has several disadvantages. A person performing
CPR, such as a medical first-responder, must exert considerable
physical effort to maintain proper compression timing and depth.
Over time, fatigue can set in and compressions can become less
regular and less effective. The person performing CPR must also
divert mental attention to performing manual CPR properly and may
not be able to focus on other tasks that could help the patient.
For example, a person performing CPR at a rate of 100 compressions
per minute would likely not be able to simultaneously prepare a
defibrillator for use to attempt to restart the patient's heart.
Mechanical compression devices can be used with CPR to perform
compressions that would otherwise be done manually. Mechanical
compression devices can provide advantages such as providing
constant, proper compressions for sustained lengths of time without
fatiguing, freeing medical personal to perform other tasks besides
CPR compressions, and being usable in smaller spaces than would be
required by a person performing CPR compressions.
SUMMARY
[0004] Illustrative embodiments of the present application include,
without limitation, methods, structures, and systems. In one
embodiment, a mechanical CPR device includes a back plate, a first
tower removably attached to the back plate, a second tower
removably attached to the back plate, and a beam releasably
connected to each of the first tower and the second tower. The
first tower can include a first linear motion device. The second
tower can include a second linear motion device. Each of the first
and second linear motion devices can be configured to move one end
of the beam toward and away from the back plate. The first and
second linear motion devices can be configured to operate in
concert such that, when the back plate is resting on a surface, the
beam remains substantially parallel to the surface during movement
of the beam toward and away from the back plate.
[0005] In some examples, the first linear motion device can include
a first shuttle and the second linear motion device can include a
second shuttle. The first shuttle can be configured to releaseably
connect with a first end of the beam and the second shuttle can be
configured to releaseably connect with a second end of the beam.
The first shuttle can include one or more engagement points
configured to engage the first end of the beam and the second
shuttle can include one or more engagement points configured to
engage the second end of the beam. The first end of the beam can
include a first rotatable end and the second end of the beam can
include a second rotatable end. The beam can include a first
locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism, where the first
locking mechanism is configured to lock the first rotatable end in
a first position and to permit the first rotatable end to rotate in
a second position, and where the second locking mechanism is
configured to lock the second rotatable end in a first position and
to permit the second rotatable end to rotate in a second position.
The first linear motion device can include a first motor and a
first threaded shaft connected to the first shuttle, and the second
linear motion device can include a second motor and a second
threaded shaft connected to the second shuttle. The first tower
further can include a first control unit configured to control
movement of the first shuttle by controlling the first motor, and
the second tower can include a second control unit configured to
control movement of the second shuttle by controlling the second
motor.
[0006] In other examples, the first tower can include a first
control unit and the second tower can include a second control
unit. The first control unit and the second control unit can be
configured to communicate wirelessly. The first control unit and
the second control unit can also be configured to communicate via a
wired connection. The wired connection can include a first
electrical connection in the first tower, a second electrical
connection in the back plate, and a third electrical connection in
the second tower. The first and second control units can be
configured to verify that the back plate is properly aligned with
the first and second towers based on an ability to communicate via
the first, second, and third electrical connections. The wired
connection can also include a fourth electrical connection in the
first tower, a fifth electrical connection in the beam, and a sixth
electrical connection in the second tower. The first and second
control units can be configured to verify that the beam is properly
aligned with the first and second towers based on an ability to
communicate via the fourth, fifth, and sixth electrical
connections. At least one of the first and second control units is
configured to receive one or more user inputs. The first control
unit can be configured to control the first linear motion device
based on the received one or more user inputs, and the second
control unit can be configured to control the second linear motion
device based on the received one or more user inputs.
[0007] In another embodiment, a method can include placing a
patient on a back plate; removably attaching a first tower to the
back plate; removably attaching a second tower to the back plate;
engaging a first rotatable end of a beam to a first linear motion
device of the first tower; engaging a second rotatable end of the
beam to a second linear motion device of the second tower; and
locking the first and second rotatable ends of the beam such that
the beam is located over the patient. The first and second linear
motion devices can be configured to move the beam to compress a
chest of the patient between the beam and the back plate.
[0008] In some examples, placing the patient on the back plate can
include placing the back plate on a surface. The method can also
include causing the first and second linear motion devices move the
beam toward and away from the back plate to compress the chest of
the patient, where the first and second linear motion devices are
configured to maintain the beam in a position substantially
parallel to the surface during motion of the beam. The beam can
include a compression point configured to engage the chest of the
patient during motion of the beam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be re-used to
indicate correspondence between referenced elements. The drawings
are provided to illustrate example embodiments described herein and
are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
[0010] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict an embodiment of a mechanical CPR
device that has two towers.
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
mechanical CPR device that has two towers.
[0012] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict views of an embodiment of a
mechanical CPR device.
[0013] FIGS. 4A to 4C depict an embodiment of a mechanical CPR
device with a back plate and two towers.
[0014] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict cross sectional views of an
embodiment of a back plate 510 being removably attached to a tower
520.
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a mechanical CPR device that
has one or more wired electrical connections between control units
of towers.
[0016] FIGS. 7A to 7D depict a method of assembling a two-tower
mechanical CPR device around a patient.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Mechanical CPR compression devices can provide many
advantages over manual CPR compressions. Mechanical CPR compression
devices can include a back plate that is placed behind the back of
the patient and a compression device located above the patient's
sternum area. The compression device can be connected to the back
plate on both sides of the patient. When the compression device
pushes against the area around the patient's sternum, the back
plate provides resistance that allows the compression device to
compress the patient's chest.
[0018] Traditional mechanical compression devices can have a
portion with significant weight located above a user's sternum. For
example, a mechanical CPR device can have a back plate behind the
patient's back, a compression device above the patient's sternum,
and legs along both sides of the user's chest. The compression
device above the patient's sternum can include components such as a
piston to perform the compressions, a motor to drive the piston, a
battery to provide power to the motor, a control system to control
the motor and piston, and the like. All of the components in the
compression device can have significant weight. When a patient is
laying back-down on a surface, the compression device of the
mechanical CPR device will be above the patient making the device
somewhat top heavy. While this top-heavy configuration may be an
inconvenience, the mechanical CPR device can effectively operate in
this manner. However, if the patient is in any other position, the
weight of the compression device of the mechanical CPR device may
be burdensome. For example, a patient may need to be moved to an
inclined or upright position, such as to be placed onto a
stretcher, to enter an elevator, to be placed in an ambulance, and
the like. In these circumstances, if the mechanical CPR device is
around the patient when the patient is moved to an inclined or
upright position, the weight of the compression device may cause
the patient to fall forward and may cause the mechanical CPR device
to be moved out of proper position.
[0019] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict an embodiment of a mechanical CPR
device 100 that has two towers. The mechanical CPR device 100
includes a back plate 110 that can be placed below a patient's back
and a beam 120 that can be located over a patient's chest. The
mechanical CPR device 100 also includes a first tower 130 and a
second tower 140. The back plate 110 can be configured to removably
attach to each the first and second towers 130 and 140. When items
are removably attached, one item can be removed from another item.
Before one item is removed, the items are attached to each other in
some way, such as one item limiting movement of the other item with
respect to each other in some direction. In the depiction shown in
FIG. 1B, the first tower 130 can include a foot 131 and the second
tower 140 can include a foot 141. The edges of the back plate 110
can be configured to physically interface with the foot 131 and the
foot 141. As described in greater detail below, such a physical
interface between the edges of the back plate 110 and the feet 131
and 141 can ensure proper placement of the first and second towers
130 and 140 with respect to each other. The beam 120 can be
configured to releasably connect to each of the first tower 130 and
the second tower 140. Items that are releasably connected are
easily disconnected by a user, such as connections that can snap in
and snap out, connection that do not require the use of tools to
disconnect, quick-release connections (e.g., push button release,
quarter-turn fastener release, lever release, etc.), and the like.
Items are not releaseably connected if they are connected by more
permanent fasteners, such as rivets, screws, bolts, and the like.
The beam 120 can include a compression point 121 configured to
engage a patient's chest on or near the patient's sternum. The
first and second towers 130 and 140 can each be configured to move
one end of the beam 120 toward and away from the back plate 110.
When working in concert, the first and second towers 130 and 140
can maintain the beam in a substantially horizontal configuration
while moving the beam vertically up and down. Such vertical motions
can result in appropriate compression of a patient's chest for
purposes of CPR. Such vertical motions can also provide
decompression (or expansion) of a chest, rather than relying on the
resiliency of the chest, if the beam 120 includes an attachment,
such as a suction attachment, that can decompress (or expand) the
chest.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
mechanical CPR device 200 that has two towers. The mechanical CPR
device 200 includes a back plate 210 that can be placed below a
patient's back and a beam 220 that can be located over a patient's
chest. The beam 220 can include a compression point 221 configured
to engage a patient's chest on or near the patient's sternum. The
mechanical CPR device 200 also includes a first tower 230 and a
second tower 240. The back plate 210 can be configured to removably
attach to each the first and second towers 230 and 240. The first
tower 230 can include a foot 231 and the second tower 240 can
include a foot 241. The edges of the back plate 210 can be
configured to physically interface with the foot 231 and the foot
241.
[0021] The first tower 230 can also include a motor 232 and a
threaded shaft 233. The threaded shaft 233 can engage a shuttle
234. The shuttle 234 can be releasably connected to one end of the
beam 220. When the motor 232 turns the threaded shaft 233, the
shuttle 234 moves linearly up or down; the end of the beam 220
attached to the shuttle 234 moves with the movement of the shuttle.
While a threaded shaft and shuttle configuration have been depicted
in FIG. 2, it is possible for alternative linear motion devices may
be employed to move the end of the beam 220, such as a pneumatic
actuator and other similar linear motion devices. The motor 232 can
be powered by batteries, such as rechargeable batteries located in
the first tower 230, by an external power source, such as an
electrical outlet. The first tower 230 can also include a control
unit 235 configured to control operation of the motor 232, and thus
movement of the shuttle 234. The control unit 235 can also accept
user inputs related to operation of the mechanical CPR device 200.
For example, a user can input a desired compression depth of the
beam 220 (i.e., how far the beam 220 moves toward back plate 210
during a compression), a desired frequency of compressions, a
desired speed of the beam 220 during compressions, a start
compression and stop compression command, and the like. The first
tower 230 can include a user input device (not shown) that allows
the user to input selections. Such a user input device can include
one or more buttons, a display, a touchscreen and/or any other
component on the exterior of the first tower 230. The first tower
230 can also accept user inputs wirelessly from an external
computing device. For example, a user may input selections into a
mobile computing device, such as a cell phone, that are
communicated wirelessly, such as via a Bluetooth connection or
Wi-Fi connection, to the first tower 230.
[0022] Similar to the first tower 230, the second tower 240 can
include a motor 242 and a threaded shaft 243. The threaded shaft
243 can engage a shuttle 244. The shuttle 244 can be releasably
connected to another end of the beam 220. When the motor 242 turns
the threaded shaft 243, the shuttle 244 moves linearly up or down;
the end of the beam 220 attached to the shuttle 244 moves with the
movement of the shuttle. While a threaded shaft and shuttle
configuration have been depicted in FIG. 2, it is possible for
alternative forms of moving the end of the beam 220 linearly may be
employed. The second tower 240 can also include a control unit 245
configured to control operation of the motor 242, and thus movement
of the shuttle 244. The control unit 245 can also receive user
inputs similar to the ways in which control unit 235 receives user
inputs.
[0023] Control units 235 and 245 can communicate to coordinate
movements of shuttles 234 and 244 such that beam 220 remains
substantially horizontal during compressions (i.e., substantially
parallel to a surface upon which the back plate 210 rests). Control
units 235 and 245 can communicate via a wired connection. As
discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 6, such a
wired connection between control units 235 and 245 can be
established through the back plate 210, through beam 220, or in
parallel through back plate 210 and beam 220. Control units 235 and
245 can also communicate via a wireless connection, such as a
Bluetooth connection or a Wi-Fi connection. If a user input is
received by one of the control units 235 and 245, the user input
can be communicated from the one of the control units 235 and 245
that received the user input to the other of the control units 235
and 245.
[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict views of an embodiment of a
mechanical CPR device 300. The mechanical CPR device 300 includes a
back plate 310, a beam 320, a first tower 330, and a second tower
340. The back plate 310 can be configured to removably attach to
each the first and second towers 330 and 340, such as by removably
attaching to a foot of each of the first and second towers 330 and
340.
[0025] The beam 320 can include a compression point 321, rotatable
ends 322 and 323, and locking mechanisms 324 and 325. Locking
mechanism 324 is configured to releasably lock rotatable end 322 in
place in the configuration shown in FIG. 3A. After the locking
mechanism 324 is released, the rotatable end 322 is free to rotate
at least to some degree. Similarly, locking mechanism 325 is
configured to releasably lock rotatable end 323 in place in the
configuration shown in FIG. 3A. After the locking mechanism 325 is
released, the rotatable end 323 is free to rotate at least to some
degree. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, locking
mechanisms 324 and 325 are in the form of sliders that can released
by retracting the sliders toward the center of the beam 320.
[0026] First tower 330 can include a shuttle 331 that is configured
to engage rotatable end 322 of beam 320. In the embodiment depicted
in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the shuttle 331 includes engagement points 332,
333, and 334. The engagement points 332, 333, and 334 are
positioned such that when the rotatable end 322 of beam 320 is
engaged with engagement points 332, 333, and 334 and rotatable end
322 is locked by locking mechanism 324 (as shown in the
configuration in FIG. 3A), the rotatable end 322 is held securely
by shuttle 331. Second tower 340 can include a shuttle 341 that is
configured to engage rotatable end 323 of beam 320. In the
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the shuttle 341 includes
engagement points 342, 343, and 344. The engagement points 342,
343, and 344 are positioned such that when the rotatable end 323 of
beam 320 is engaged with engagement points 342, 343, and 344 and
rotatable end 323 is locked by locking mechanism 325 (as shown in
the configuration in FIG. 3A), the rotatable end 323 is held
securely by shuttle 341.
[0027] In the configuration shown in FIG. 3A, the beam 320 is held
securely in place by shuttles 331 and 341. When the shuttles 331
and 341 are moved in concert vertically, the beam 320 moves
vertically with the shuttles 331 and 341 while the beam remains
substantially horizontal. In this way, when a patient is placed on
back plate 310 with the patient's sternum area below the
compression point 321. When the beam 320 is moved down toward the
back plate 310, the compression point 321 will engage the patient
on or near the patient's sternum and the compression point 321 can
compress the patient's chest. The beam 320 can then be moved upward
away from the patient's chest to end the compression. In another
embodiment, if the beam 320 included an attachment that can
decompress or expand the chest, the beam can be moved upward away
from the patient's chest to decompress or expand the patient's
chest. At that point, the beam 320 can be moved downward to allow
the chest to contract. Any vertical motion cycle can be repeated as
desired to provide compressions for CPR.
[0028] When compressions of the patient's chest are no longer
desired, the beam 320 can be removed from the first tower 330 and
the second tower 340. From the configuration shown in FIG. 3A, the
locking mechanisms 324 and 325 can be slid toward the center of the
beam 320 to release rotatable ends 322 and 323. Once the rotatable
ends 322 and 323 are released, the beam 320 can be lifted upward to
the position shown in FIG. 3B where the beam has been removed from
the first tower 330 and the second tower 340. The reverse operation
is also possible. From the position shown in FIG. 3B, the beam 320
can be engaged with the first tower 330 and the second tower 340
and securely held by the first tower 330 and the second tower 340.
From the position shown in FIG. 3B, with the rotatable ends 322 and
323 released from locking mechanisms 324 and 325, the beam 320 can
be lowered until the rotatable end 322 engages with one of the
engagement points 332, 333, and 334, and the rotatable end 323
engages with one or more engagement points 342, 343, and 344. As
the beam 320 is pushed downward, one or more of the engagement
points 332, 333, and 334 can cause the rotatable end 322 to rotate
until it is locked by locking mechanism 324, and one or more of the
engagement points 342, 343, and 344 can cause the rotatable end 323
to rotate until it is locked by locking mechanism 325. At this
point, the beam 320 can be engaged with and securely held by the
shuttles 331 and 341 in the configuration shown in FIG. 3A.
[0029] FIGS. 4A to 4C depict an embodiment of a mechanical CPR
device 400 with a back plate 410 and two towers 420 and 430. The
back plate 410 can include a first end 411 and a second end 412.
The first tower 420 can have a foot 421. The foot 421 can be in the
shape of a wedge that has a trough 422. The first end 411 of the
back plate 410 can be shaped to fit within trough 422 of foot 421.
Similarly, the second tower 430 can have a foot 431. The foot 431
can be in the shape of a wedge that has a trough 432. The second
end 412 of the back plate 410 can be shaped to fit within trough
432 of foot 431.
[0030] The back plate 410 can be moved from the configuration shown
in FIG. 4A--where the back plate 410 is separated from each of the
first tower 420 and the second tower 430--to the configuration
shown in FIG. 4B--where the back plate 410 is removably attached to
each of the first tower 420 and the second tower 430. From the
position shown in FIG. 4A, the first tower 420 can be pushed toward
the back plate 410 until the first end 411 of the back plate 410
engages the foot 421 of the first tower 420. The first tower 420
can be further pushed toward the back plate 410 until the first end
411 of the back plate 410 engages the trough 422 of the foot 421 in
the configuration shown in FIG. 4B. Similarly, the second tower 430
can be pushed, from the configuration shown in FIG. 4A, toward the
back plate 410 until the second end 412 of the back plate 410
engages the foot 431 of the second tower 430. The second tower 430
can be further pushed toward the back plate 410 until the second
end 412 of the back plate 410 engages the trough 432 of the foot
431 in the configuration shown in FIG. 4B.
[0031] FIG. 4C depicts a lower perspective view of back plate 410
and first tower 420. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4C, the lower
portion of the back plate 410 can include ribs 413. The foot 421 of
first tower 420 can include a number of protrusions 423. Each of
the protrusions 423 can have a wedge shape and can define a portion
of the trough 422. The ribs 413 of the back plate 410 and the
protrusions 423 of the foot 421 can be configured such that, when
the first end 411 of back plate 410 engages the trough 422 of the
foot 421, portions of protrusions 423 are located between the ribs
413. The widths of the ribs 413 and the protrusions 423 can be
configured such that the ribs 413 and the protrusions 423 ensure
proper alignment of the back plate 410 with respect to the first
tower 420. Similarly, although not shown in FIG. 4C, the back plate
410 can include ribs near the second end 412 and the foot 431 of
the second tower 430 can include a number of protrusions.
[0032] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict cross sectional views of an
embodiment of a back plate 510 being removably attached to a tower
520. The back plate 510 can include a side 511, a lower surface
512, and a curved surface between the lower surface 512 and the
side 511. The lower surface 512 of the back plate can be placed on
a surface 505, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The tower 520 can
include a foot 521 that includes a trough 522. The trough 522 can
be fingered to receive the side 511. The tower 520 can also be
placed on the surface 505. The curved surface 513 can be curved up
from the lower surface 512 such that, when the tower 520 is pushed
toward the back plate 510, the curved surface 513 comes into
contact with an upper surface of the foot 521 (as shown in FIG.
5A). From that potion, the tower 520 can be further pushed toward
back plate 510. As the tower 520 moves closer to the back plate
510, the side 511 of the back plate 510 may raise up along the
upper surface of the foot 521 until the side 511 falls into the
trough 522. Once the side 511 is in the trough 522, the back plate
510 is removably attached to the tower 520. If a distributed weight
530 is placed on the top of back plate 510, such as the distributed
weight 530 of a patient laying on the back plate 510, the downward
force of the distributed weight 530 can hold the side 511 in place
in the trough.
[0033] FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a mechanical CPR device 600
that has one or more wired electrical connections between control
units of towers. The mechanical CPR device 600 includes a first
tower 610, a second tower 620, a back plate 630, and a beam 640.
The first tower 610 includes a control unit 611. The first tower
610 also includes a first electrical connection point 612 connected
to the control unit 611 by a first electrical connection 613 and a
second electrical connection point 614 connected to the control
unit 611 by a second electrical connection 615. The second tower
620 includes a control unit 621. The second tower 620 also includes
a first electrical connection point 622 connected to the control
unit 621 by a first electrical connection 623 and a second
electrical connection point 624 connected to the control unit 621
by a second electrical connection 625. The back plate 630 includes
a first electrical connection point 631 and a second electrical
connection point 632 connected to each other by an electrical
connection 633. The beam 640 includes a first electrical connection
point 641 and a second electrical connection point 642 connected to
each other by an electrical connection 643.
[0034] An electrical connection can be made between the control
unit 611 of the first tower 610 and the control unit 621 of the
second tower 620 via the back plate 630. The first electrical
connection point 612 of the first tower 610 can be configured to
make an electrical connection with the first electrical connection
point 631 of the back plate 630. In one embodiment, the first
electrical connection point 612 of the first tower 610 can make an
electrical connection with the first electrical connection point
631 of the back plate 630 when the back plate 630 is properly
aligned with respect to the first tower 610, such as when ribs on a
lower side of the back plate 630 are properly aligned with
protrusions of a foot of first tower 610. The second electrical
connection point 632 of the back plate 630 can be configured to
make an electrical connection with the first electrical connection
point 622 of the second tower 620. In one embodiment, the second
electrical connection point 632 of the back plate 630 can make an
electrical connection with the first electrical connection point
622 of the second tower 620 when the back plate 630 is properly
aligned with respect to the second tower 620, such as when ribs on
a lower side of the back plate 630 are properly aligned with
protrusions of a foot of second tower 620. In this way, a wired
electrical connection can be made between control unit 611 of the
first tower 610 and the control unit 621 of the second tower 620
via the back plate 630. The electrical connection between control
unit 611 of the first tower 610 and the control unit 621 of the
second tower 620 via the back plate 630 can be used for the control
unit 611 and the control unit 621 to communicate with each other
and/or for the control unit 611 and the control unit 621 to ensure
that the back plate 630 is properly aligned with respect to each of
the first tower 610 and the second tower 620.
[0035] An electrical connection can be made between the control
unit 611 of the first tower 610 and the control unit 621 of the
second tower 620 via the beam 640. The second electrical connection
point 614 of the first tower 610 can be configured to make an
electrical connection with the first electrical connection point
641 of the beam 640. In one embodiment, the second electrical
connection point 614 of the first tower 610 can make an electrical
connection with the first electrical connection point 641 of the
beam 640 when the beam 640 is securely attached to the first tower
610, such as when a rotatable end of the beam 640 is securely held
by a shuttle of the first tower 610. The second electrical
connection point 642 of the beam 640 can be configured to make an
electrical connection with the second electrical connection point
624 of the second tower 620. In one embodiment, the second
electrical connection point 642 of the beam 640 can make an
electrical connection with the second electrical connection point
624 of the second tower 620 when the beam 640 is securely attached
to the second tower 620, such as when a rotatable end of the beam
640 is securely held by a shuttle of the second tower 620. In this
way, a wired electrical connection can be made between control unit
611 of the first tower 610 and the control unit 621 of the second
tower 620 via the beam 640. The electrical connection between
control unit 611 of the first tower 610 and the control unit 621 of
the second tower 620 via the beam 640 can be used for the control
unit 611 and the control unit 621 to communicate with each other
and/or for the control unit 611 and the control unit 621 to ensure
that the beam 640 is securely attached to each of the first tower
610 and the second tower 620.
[0036] The embodiment of the mechanical CPR device 600 in FIG. 6
includes two electrical connections between the control unit 611
and the control unit 621: a first electrical connection via the
back plate 630 and a second electrical connection via the beam 640.
Such a configuration can allow for the control unit 611 and the
control unit 621 to ensure that both the back plate 630 and the
beam 640 are properly connected to the first tower 610 and to the
second tower 620. However, other mechanical CPR devices may include
only one electrical connection, such as either one electrical
connection via a back plate or one electrical connection via a
beam. In such single-electrical-connection embodiments, control
units in two towers may not be able to verify that both a beam and
a back plate are properly connected to the two towers. However, the
single-electrical-connection embodiments will still permit control
units in each of the two towers to communicate via a wired
electrical connection.
[0037] FIGS. 7A to 7D depict a method of assembling a two-tower
mechanical CPR device around a patient. FIG. 7A depicts a cross
section of a patient's chest 710 on top of a back plate 720. In
normal operation, the patient will typically be facing up, with the
patient's back toward the back plate 720. The back plate 720 can be
slid underneath the patient's chest 710 or the patient can be
rolled on top of the back plate 720. FIG. 7B depicts a first tower
730 and a second tower in contact with sides of the back plate. As
indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7B, the first tower 730 and the
second tower 740 can be pushed toward the back plate 720. The first
tower 730 and the second tower 740 can be pushed toward the back
plate 720 until a first side of back plate 720 is removably
attached to the first tower 730 and a second side of back plate 720
is removably attached to the second tower 740. FIG. 7C depicts back
plate 720 removably attached to each of the first tower 730 and the
second tower 740. FIG. 7C also depicts a beam 750 with rotatable
ends above the first and second towers 730 and 740. As indicated by
the arrow in FIG. 7C, the beam 750 can be lowered into place
between the first and second towers 730 and 740. In lowering the
beam 750 into place the rotatable ends can engage engagement points
of each of the first and second towers 730 and 740 until the beam
is held securely in place above the patient's chest. FIG. 7D
depicts back plate 720 removably attached to each of the first
tower 730 and the second tower 740 and beam 750 securely held by
each of the first and second towers 730 and 740.
[0038] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others,
"can," "could," "might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless
specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the
context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain
examples include, while other examples do not include, certain
features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language
is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or
steps are in any way required for one or more examples or that one
or more examples necessarily include logic for deciding, with or
without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements
and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular
example. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the
like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended
fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts,
operations, and so forth. Also, the term "or" is used in its
inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used,
for example, to connect a list of elements, the term "or" means
one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
[0039] In general, the various features and processes described
above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined
in different ways. For example, this disclosure includes other
combinations and sub-combinations equivalent to: extracting an
individual feature from one embodiment and inserting such feature
into another embodiment; removing one or more features from an
embodiment; or both removing a feature from an embodiment and
adding a feature extracted from another embodiment, while providing
the advantages of the features incorporated in such combinations
and sub-combinations irrespective of other features in relation to
which it is described. All possible combinations and
subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this
disclosure. In addition, certain method or process blocks may be
omitted in some implementations. The methods and processes
described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence,
and the blocks or states relating thereto can be performed in other
sequences that are appropriate. For example, described blocks or
states may be performed in an order other than that specifically
disclosed, or multiple blocks or states may be combined in a single
block or state. The example blocks or states may be performed in
serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Blocks or states may
be added to or removed from the disclosed example examples. The
example systems and components described herein may be configured
differently than described. For example, elements may be added to,
removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example
examples.
[0040] While certain example or illustrative examples have been
described, these examples have been presented by way of example
only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions
disclosed herein. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described
herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. The
accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover
such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and
spirit of certain of the inventions disclosed herein.
* * * * *